"Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the conditions of the atmosphere for a given location and time."
The study of different types of atmospheric measurements, including temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed.
Atmosphere: The layers of gases surrounding the earth.
Climate: The long-term average of weather over time.
Weather: The short-term state of the atmosphere.
Temperature: The measure of the amount of heat in the atmosphere.
Rain: The water droplets that fall from clouds to the ground.
Snow: The frozen atmospheric conditions that fall to the ground.
Wind: The movement of air from high pressure to low pressure.
Pressure: The force exerted by the atmosphere on the Earth.
Humidity: The amount of moisture in the air.
Clouds: The formations of water vapor in the atmosphere.
Radiative Transfer: The process by which heat energy is transferred between the sun, earth, and atmosphere.
Weather Forecasting: The ability to predict the future weather conditions.
Weather Instruments: The tools meteorologists use to measure the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gases: The gases that trap heat energy in the atmosphere.
Oceanography: The study of the ocean and its effects on the atmosphere.
Temperature: Is the measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of the air.
Pressure: Is typically defined as the force exerted by the atmosphere.
Humidity: Is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in the atmosphere.
Wind speed: Is the rate at which the air moves.
Wind direction: Is the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Precipitation: Is any form of water that falls from the sky and reaches the ground.
Cloud cover: Is the fraction of the sky covered by clouds.
Visibility: Is the distance at which an object can be seen under specific conditions.
Atmospheric stability: Describes the vertical movement of air.
Atmospheric pressure tendency: The change in atmospheric pressure over a period of time.
Sea level pressure: The atmospheric pressure at sea level.
Dew point: The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor.
Heat index: A measure of how hot it feels when humidity is taken into account.
Wind chill: A measure of how cold it feels when wind speed is taken into account.
Snow depth: The depth of snow on the ground.
Evapotranspiration: The transfer of moisture from the earth's surface to the atmosphere through plant transpiration and evaporation.
Solar radiation: The energy received from the sun.
UV index: Measures the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface.
Soil moisture: The amount of water present in the soil.
Ozone concentration: The amount of ozone present in the atmosphere.
"People have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia and formally since the 19th century."
"Weather forecasts are made by collecting quantitative data about the current state of the atmosphere, land, and ocean and using meteorology to project how the atmosphere will change at a given place."
"Current weather conditions, changes in barometric pressure, sky conditions or cloud cover are some of the factors considered in computer-based weather models."
"Human input is still required to pick the best possible model to base the forecast upon, which involves pattern recognition skills, teleconnections, knowledge of model performance, and knowledge of model biases."
"The inaccuracy of forecasting is due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere, computational power required, error in measuring initial conditions, and an incomplete understanding of atmospheric and related processes."
"The use of ensembles and model consensus helps narrow the error and provide confidence in the forecast."
"Weather warnings are important to protect lives and property. Temperature and precipitation forecasts are important to agriculture and traders within commodity markets. Temperature forecasts are used by utility companies to estimate demand."
"On an everyday basis, many people use weather forecasts to determine what to wear on a given day and plan outdoor activities around heavy rain, snow, and wind chill events."
"Weather forecasting is a part of the economy, with the US alone spending approximately $5.8 billion on it in 2009, producing benefits estimated at six times as much."
"People have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia and formally since the 19th century."
"Weather forecasting now relies on computer-based models that take many atmospheric factors into account."
"The inaccuracy of forecasting is due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere."
"The error involved in measuring the initial conditions" poses a challenge in weather forecasting.
"Forecasts become less accurate as the difference between the current time and the time for which the forecast is being made increases."
"Forecasts can be used to plan activities around heavy rain, snow, and wind chill events, and to plan ahead and survive them."
"Pattern recognition skills, teleconnections, knowledge of model performance, and knowledge of model biases" are factors considered when picking the best weather model.
"Forecasts based on temperature and precipitation are important to agriculture."
"Temperature forecasts are used by utility companies to estimate demand over coming days."
"Producing benefits estimated at six times as much" is a significant benefit of investing in weather forecasting.